Obstetrical table



Sept. 1941- E. R. ARMSTRONG 2,257,491

OBSTETRIGAL TABLE Filed Feb. 8, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 E. R. ARMSTRONG I Se t. 30, 1941. 1

' OBSTETRICAL TABLE Filed Feb. 8, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Sept. 30, 1941. E. R. ARMSTRONG 2,257,491

OBSTETRICAL TABLE Filed Feb. 8, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Sept. 30, 1941. E. R. ARMSTRONG 2,257,491

OBSTETRICAL TABLE Filed Feb. 8, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Sept. 30, 1941 2,257,491 OBSTETRICALT TABLE EdwardR. Armstrong, Columbus, Ohio, assignor to F. 0. Schoedinger, Columbus, Ohio Application February 8, Ill l0, Serial No. 317,987

4 Claims.

This invention relates to obstetrical tables, the principal object thereof being the provision of a table for the purposes indicated and wherein the construction of the table is such as to permit its sections to be relatively adjusted in a.

convenient and readily executed manner in order to secure maximum convenience of attendants and doctors in manipulating and moving around the tabl and affording adjustments in the bodily positions of the patient which may be considered best adapted in effecting birth or child delivery functions.

Obstetrical tables hitherto largely employed in hospitals or the like have consisted of two freely separable and unjoined units, which have been so formed as to permit the larger or main unit to receive in telescoped relation beneath it, the

smaller or foot unit, the latter when needed, having been drawn outwardly of and placed in longitudinal registration with one end of the is considered by some to be objectionable in .manipulating and adjusting the same and attaining its various positions, and as a result, they are being superseded in part by the single unit}; type of table wherein the body and leg supporting sections are adjustably mounted on and carried by a single base section. It is toward the improvement of the single unit type of table that the present invention is particularly directed.

In the single unit type of table, it is customary to employ a base section carrying a tiltable track frame on which is mounted for longitudinal sliding movement a main body-supporting section, one end of the frame carrying a pivotally movaligned horizontally and longitudinally with the body section and which, when inactively positioned, may be lowered relative to the body section in order to permit the latter to be longitution. Therefore, in this type of table, it is necessary in attaining various operative positions thereof to move the patient with the adjustment of the body section and provide a carrying frame of sufiicient length to permit th sliding movement of the body section thereon. When the body section is advanced along the track frame so that it overlies the foot section, said track frame projects beyond the head end of the body section and offers an obstruction to the unhampered movement of the anesthetist or other attendants engaged at the head end of the table.

relative thereto, possessing a definite longitumain unit. This socalled split type of table ,35' able foot section which, when extended, may be" dinally shifted on its track frame so that said body section will overlie the retracted foot sec- (01. 311- 1) dinal position in all stages of adjustment and use of the table, and wherein provision is made for sliding the foot section only of the table, relative to the base, in securing the desired efiective "elongation of the table when needed, and yet to enable the foot section to be retracted when not in use within the confines of the table, wherein the foot section assumes an inactive position below the body section and completely out of the way of attending persons.

It is. a further object of the invention to provide means of an improved and simplified character for facilitating the mounting and adjustment of the foot section between its extended active position and its retracted inactive position.

a For a further and more complete understanding of the present invention, reference is to be had to the following description and the accompanying drawings, wherein a preferred form of the obstetrical table comprising the present invention is described and illustrated in detail.

In said drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an obstetrical tableconstructed in accordance with the present invention. In this view, the adjustable foot section of the table is shown in its extended or active position.

Fig. 2 is a similar view with the foot section disclosed inits inactive or retracted position;

Fig. 3 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view taken through the table with the foot section in its active position Fig. 4 is a similar view showing the foot section inv its lowered or retracted position;

Fig. 5 is a horizontal sectional view, the plane of the figure being indicated by the line V,V of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a detail vertical sectional View on the plane indicated by the line.VI-VI of Fig. 5;

Fig. '7 is a detail horizontal sectional view taken through the frame tilting mechanism on the line VII-VII of Fig. 3;

Fig. 8 isa detail elevational figure disclosing the position ,of the link means when the foot section of the table is actively positioned;

Fig. 9 is a similar view with the foot section in its lowered position.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the letter B indicates the base section of my improved obstetrical table, the letter M the main or body-supporting section and the letter L the extensible and adjustable leg section.

The base section embodies a pair of tubular side members Iii-l0, which are vertically disposed in transversely spaced parallel order, the

said members being rigidly united and their relative order maintained by transversely and horizontally extending cross members H, the latter having their ends welded or otherwise rigidly secured to the side members I0. The side memhers include, at their ends, down-turned vertical leg forming extensions l2 which, at their extreme lower ends, carry swiveled brake-equipped casters 13, by means of which the base section may be readily moved over a floor surface and 5 held against such movement, when desired. Arising from the central portions of the side members Iii aretubular uprights 14, which are joined and braced by a cross member I5. The

upper ends of the uprights l4 carry bifurcated heads l6, which are adapted to receive apertured depending ears I! carried by the spaced parallel channel-shaped frame members l3 of the body section M. Pivot pins l9 pass through the bifurcated head Hi and the apertures of the ears I1, said pins affording a horizontal axis about which the main and leg sections M and. L, re-

'are received within casings 22 adjustably fulcrumed on uprights 23, arising from the side members ID. Each of the casings 22 has mounted "30 therein a'worm' wheel 24 having an internally threaded bore for the reception of the screw 2l received therein.

Meshing With each Worrn Wheel 24 is a worm 25, M

fixed on a transversel and horizontally extend- 3'5 ing shaft 25, the latter being journaled adjacent to itsqends in connection with the casings 22, as indicated at 21in Fig. '7. Fastened'to one end of the shaft 26, beyondrthe adjacent side member is, ,isa hand wheel 26. By the rotation 40' of this wheel, rotary movement willbe imparted to the shaft 2t,- the worms 25 and the worm wheels 24 to cause the raising andlowering of the jack screws 2| and the consequent tilting M adjustments of the sections M and L about the Z5 horizontal axis provided by the pivot pins l9.

Inasmuch as this adjustment is of limited extent, the'pivotal movement of the casings 22 aboutthepintles 29, employed in uniting said.

casings with the uprights 23, compensates for the "50 arc'of swinging movement of the ears20 to which the'upper ends of the screws 2l are pivotally connected. By this construction, it'willbe observed that the main or body section M, while it is allowed to rockabout the horizontal axis,"5"5 defined by thepivot pins l9 to a limited extent,

is restrained against longitudinal or sliding movement with respect to the base section, so that the head end of the section M maintains aconstant relation to the anesthetist or those located 1 near the same.

The leg or foot section Lis carried by the main section M so that it is adjustable between the 'two positions disclosed in Figs. 1 and 2. To permit of this feature, the leg or foot section L is "235 formed to embody a rectangular frame 30. This frame comprises, preferably, a pair of structural steel angle sections having their meeting flanges V "arrangedand secured together, as shown in Fig.

3. The frame provides asupport for the mat- "7'0 tress-or pad 3I,' While" a corresponding mattress 01' pad '32 is removably positioned on the frame 1 8 of the main section, the mattress or pad 32 "resting'on-an angular frame structure 33 rigidly earried'by and joined with the frame 18.

from the linked pivots 39. 53 have been retracted. and the rod 42' depressed,

For the adjustment of the leg or foot section L, a carriage C is utilized, comprising a pair of side plates 34, united by means of a pair of spaced parallel shafts 35, as shown in Fig. 5. The ends of the shafts 35 are equipped with rollers 36, which rest on the horizontal flanges of the frame bars I8 and are movable longitudinally thereover. Pivotally secured as at 3'! to the forward edges of the plates 34 is a pair of links 38, the outer ends'of these links being pivoted as at 39 to the foot frame 39. Pivotally connected as at 40 to the lower forward portions of the side plates 34 is a pair of brace bars 4|, the outer ends of said bars carrying a transversely xtending rod 42.

Also journaled in the frame 39 of the foot section L is a transversely extending crank shaft 43 which, as shown in Fig. 5,'has its central portion formed with a fixed crank 44. To the outer end of this crank, there is pivotally secured as at 45 the forward end of a rod 46. The inner end of this rod is pivotally joined as at 41 with the siotted ends of a pair of bell crank levers '48. These levers are pivotally mounted as at 49 on the frame 36 and have their non-slotted arms 'pivotally'connected as at 50 with a pair of links 5|. These links, at their outer ends, are pivoted as at 52 to a pair of collared plungers 53, said plungers being slidably mounted in openings formed in ears 54 which rigidly project from the frame 30. The extreme outer ends of the plungers 53 are adapted to enter openings 55 provided in the plates 34 in order to restrain the foot section L against movement on its links 38 when the said section L occupies its extended or active position.

. The crank shaft 43, adjacent to its ends, is

provided with a pairof crank arms 56, as shown in Figsu5 and 6. These arms are pivotally linked as at 57 with a pair of bars 58, the latter being slidably carried, as indicated at 59, by a pair of '62, which strips are pressed upwardly into contact with therod42 by means of coil springs 63 surrounding stationary guide pins 64.

When it is desired to move the leg or foot section L from its extended or active position, as

disclosed in Fig. 3, to its retracted or inactive position, as indicated in Fig. 4 the crank shaft 43 is manually rotated by the manipulation of itsenlarged end extensions 65. Rocking of the shaft 43 effects corresponding'rccking movement of the'levers 48, retracting the plungers 53 from the openings 55. Simultaneously with this action, the rocking of the crank shaft 43 effects sliding ,movement of thebars 58, causing the irregularly cut lower edges of the bars 58 to depress the rod 42 against the action of the strip ".62 and the coil spring 63, thus moving the rod 42 beyond the enlarged locking regions of the recesses El and permitting of sliding movement j'of the rod 42 on the strip}; from' one of the rejcesses 6! to the other, thus compensating for the fswingingmovement of the foot frame about the links 38 and the swinging movementof the brace bars 4| about their pivots 49 in spaced order After the plungers theifoot section swings to its lowered position in a horizontal plane below that of the main or body section, and the carriage C, when this lowered position is reached, is moved longitudinally on the frame I8 toward the head end of the table until the foot section reaches the retracted position disclosed in Figs. 2 and 4. The retraction of the foot section is limited by the contacting of the side plates 34 with the upper ends of the screws 2|. When in its retracted position, the foot section lies within the marginal confines of the main or body section M. so that it is entirely out of the way of attending persons. In attaining this result, it will be noticed that there is no movement of the section M.

The table may be equipped with the usual accessories. Thus the frame l8 has secured to the outer longitudinal sides thereof parallel bars 66 on which are adjustably mounted shouldered rests 61. An adjustable bail 68 is joined with the head ends of the bars 66 to provide a support for an anesthetic administering curtain. Midway of their lengths, the bars 65 may be equipped with holders 69 for swinging hand grips 10. At its foot end, the frame [8 is provided with a pair of clamps II which carry vertically adjustable standards 12, the upper ends of the latter being provided with adjustable leg saddles 13. At the head end of the frame l8, there may be provided a drawer I4 adapted for the reception of the supplies of an anesthetist.

In view of the foregoing, it will be seen that the present invention provides an obstetrical table of simple but sturdy and efficient design and one wherein the various body supporting sections of the table may be readily and conveniently adjusted to meet the needs of the case. The main or body supporting section of the table maintains its longitudinal relation at all times with the base section and is constrained against any sliding movement relative to the base section, enabling the anesthetist to work without changing position relative to the head end of the table or being encumbered in movement by frame portions of the table. The adjustable foot section, by manual rocking of the crank shaft 43 may be readily moved between active and inactive positions. When in its active position, the mattress of the foot section is horizontally aligned with that of the body section, and when the foot section is lowered toward its inactive position, its mattress assumes a horizontal plane beneath that of the body section, permitting the carriage C to be slidably retracted on the frame of the body section until the foot section lies completely within the marginal limits of the body section. The body and foot sections may be tiltably adjusted about a horizontal axis by the rotation of the hand wheel 28. It will be observed that these controls are simple to actuate'and may be easily effected at any time.

What is claimed is:

1. In an obstetrical table, a body section having a frame provided with longitudinally extending guide members, said guides terminating at the forward end of said body section, carriage means disposed beneath said body section for longitudinal movement in said guides, a foot section supported solely by said carriage means, said foot section having a rigid frame, link means pivotally connected at the ends with the rear end of said foot section frame and said carriage, whereby said foot section may be swung between an elevated position in horizontal registration with said body section and a position lower than said body section at least the thickness thereof,

and adjustable brace means connecting said carriage and the forward portion of said foot section frame to hold the latter horizontal in both elevated and lowered positions.

2. In an obsteterical table, a body section having a frame provided with longitudinally extending guide members, said guides terminating'at the forward end of said body section, carriage means disposed beneath said body section for longitudinal movement in said guides, a foot section supported solely by said carriage means, said foot section having a rigid frame, link means pivotally connected at the ends with the rear end of said foot section frame and said carriage, whereby said foot section may be swung between an elevated position in horizontal registration with said body section and a position lower than said body section at least the thickness thereof, cooperative means on said foot section frame and carriage for locking the former in either elevated or lowered position, and. adjustable brace means connecting said carriage and the forward portion of said foot section frame to hold the latter horizontal in both elevated and lowered positions.

3. In an obstetrical table, a body section having a frame provided with longitudinally extending guide members, said guides terminating at the forward end of said body section, carriage means disposed beneath said body section for longitudinal movement in said guides, a foot section supported solely by'said carriage means, said foot section having a rigid frame, link means pivotally connected at the ends with the rear end of said foot section frame and said carriage, whereby said foot section may be swung between an elevated position in horizontal registration with said body section and a position lower than said body section atleast the thickness thereof, cooperative means on said foot section frame and carriage for locking the former in either elevated or lowered position, exteriorly disposed handle means carried by said foot section frame for controlling the operation of said locking means, and adjustable brace means connecting said carriage and the forward portion of said foot section frame to hold the latter horizontal in both elevated and lowered positions.

4. In an obstetrical table, a body section having a frame provided with longitudinally extending guide members, said guides terminating at the forward end of said body section, carriage means disposed beneath said body section for longitudinal movement in said guides, a foot section supported solely by said carriage means, said foot section having a rigid frame, link means pivotally connected at the ends with the rear end of said foot section frame and said carriage, whereby said foo-t section may be swung between an elevated position in horizontal registration with said body section and a position lower than said body section at least the thickness thereof, cooperative means on said foot section frame and carriage for lockin the former in either elevated or lowered position, rotatable handle means projecting from the sides of said foot section frame, motion transmitting means connecting said handle means and said locking means, operation of the former serving to actuate the latter, and adjustable brace means connecting said carriage and the forward portion of said foot section frame to hold the latter horizontal in both elevated and lowered positions.

EDWARD R. ARMSTRONG. 

